Wind Turbine Accidents in Houston

Wind energy sector employers have a duty of care to protect their employees from workplace hazards. They also have a duty to train all employees in workplace safety and health standards in order that employees can understand how to protect themselves from injury and even wrongful death. When an injury occurs, it is important to contact a maritime accident lawyer.

Unfortunately, many factors can cause the operation of a wind turbine to result in an equipment related injury. Common causes of accidents related to the construction or operation of wind turbines can include:

• Improperly maintained and inspected turbine equipment
• Gearbox breakdown due to misalignment or poor lubrication
• Anchor bolts that fail prematurely
• Human error that causes numerous problems including falls, fires, and construction defects
• Wind turbine equipment that isn’t properly secured to its foundation
• Improper use or storage of combustible or flammable materials
• Faulty safety harnesses, leading to falls
• Taking the wrong transport route in moving large turbine equipment to a farm
• Poor sea conditions that are too demanding for safe operation of the turbine
• High winds that cause blades to fall or workers to fall into the path of the blades
• Technicians who aren’t properly trained in the safe use of wind turbine equipment
• Wind turbine workers who aren’t provided with proper safety gear
• Insufficient number of crew members assigned to work with wind turbine equipment
• Wind turbine equipment that is defective when acquired by the employer, contractor or owner of the vessel or rig
• Poor mechanical design causing the blades to break off in use
• Poor workplace design
• Malfunction of communications equipment
• Wind turbine equipment not used for the appropriate purpose or not used as designed
• Poor maintenance or untidy workplace

Injuries Incurred During Wind Turbine Operations

When a wind turbine operation is compromised or is affected by unknown factors that make the operation unsafe, it can lead to accidents that cause mild to severe injuries to workers. The Department of Occupational Health and Safety has records of many incidents of wind turbine accidents that resulted in injury or death.

Because of the height, complexity and components inherent to a wind turbine, injuries incurred during the operation of a wind turbine are often serious and sometimes fatal. These injuries can include:

• Amputated limbs
• Mild, moderate, or severe traumatic brain injuries that leave the worker disabled, paralyzed, or in a coma
• Back or spinal cord injuries
• Partial or complete paralysis
• Torn ligaments
• Death

Workers are not the only victims that suffer injury because of wind turbines. Maritime workers, civilians, and utility/construction workers have all been injured when equipment has fallen off of wind turbines or when victims come into contact with electrical systems serving the turbine.

How Our Houston Wind Turbine Accident Lawyers Can Help

At The Krist Law Firm, P.C., our investigations of wind turbine accidents are thorough and designed to make a strong case for compensation on your behalf. The process includes a medical examination to gauge the extent of your injuries, a comprehensive look into potential safety problems that might have contributed to your injuries, and an examination of the safety records of all the personnel and companies involved in the accident.

The Krist Law Firm, P.C. will provide a free consultation when you contact us today regarding your wind turbine accident. Contact our Houston maritime accident lawyers today at 281-283-8500 or fill out the form below. We charge no attorney fees unless we recover the compensation for your case.